John Harbaugh says Trent Richardson must improve conditioning

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Ravens coach John Harbaugh says that ongoing issues with conditioning is the reason why running back Trent Richardson missed the first week of organized team activities with a hamstring injury.

Richardson has been a bust since the Browns drafted him third overall in 2012, averaging just 3.3 yards per carry. He’s trying to catch on with his third team after disappointing stints with the Browns and Colts. He tried to make the Raiders in 2015, but was cut in the preseason and sat out the year.

The Ravens took a chance on Richardson, signing him April 18.

“I think the workload and the amount of work it takes to be a world-class conditioned athlete is something that he’s working on right now,” Harbaugh told ESPN.com. “That’s what he needs to understand, and that’s where he needs to get himself.”

Not only does Richardson have to compete for a job in a backfield that also includes Justin Forsett, Buck Allen and fourth-round draft pick Kenneth Dixon, but he also has to wait until at least June 6 before getting another chance to show what he can do. The NFL canceled the Ravens’ OTAs that were scheduled for June 1-3 because the team violated practice rules by working out rookies in pads.

The Ravens’ next scheduled OTA sessions begin June 6, but there’s no guarantee that Richardson’s hamstring will heal by then.

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